HA! You're already ahead! Yours is - or is very nearly - driveable.

Mine isn't even back on its own wheels yet!

I'll still make progress on stuff like wiring and tranny cooler and power steering hoses and such. Just won't be able to put the t-case drivelines, etc. back in until I get some weekend time.

Good news is that while I was getting the engine and tranny put together and put back in my kid got the new interior about 80% installed...

 

Nice!

 

Cheaper,

Were you required by space to make your own exhaust manifolds or was it to make an improvement? Was there room for the stock exhaust manifolds to bolt on and then replace the tubing from the manifold back?

Thanks!

 

Unfortunately there wasn't enough room to use the stock manifolds. That's why I came up with my flat-box design manifolds. The space between the front uniframe sections wasn't even close to being wide enough for anything else. Even with my low-profile manifolds there is only about 1/2" clearance on each side.

The only way to use the stock manifolds or any conventional type manifolds would be to mount the engine 4-6 inches higher - which would require cutting a huge hole in the hood and installing a hood scoop 2/3 the width of the hood, OR to cut out and replace the front uniframe sections with something narrower to make more room between them.

 

Cheaper or anyone,

Know the length, width and height of the 4.3L V6 diesel? - SWAGs even?!
Width between the frame rails of the Jeep Cherokee?

Still trying to find a stronger diesel that will fit in the Cherokee!!!!! I am going to have to go measure one myself... several measurements! But any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

The width between the frame rails on the cherokee is a tight 24in at the narrowest. I don't know the measurements of the 4.3, you'll have to ask Cheeper as he probably has the only remaining examples in captivity. Good luck finding any! There is a guy on 4btswaps that is putting a nissan 4cyl in a grand cherokee. I think 3.5 liter or so, they came in 80's box trucks and are similar in size to the 4bt. The Benz fits the cherokee quite nicely and I think will prove to be a good setup, as it was designed to be in a uni-body car. Not nearly as much vibration from the 5cy Benz as from a 4bt or similar 4cyl imo.

 

Thanks FTE,

Would you happen to remember the height that you had to work with... I guess from axle (or lowest point) to inside of hood?

I really wish I had a 87-91 Jeep Cherokee around to take some measurements!

 

One thing to remember about the 4.3 is that like all V engines, one bank of cylinders is offset about half a cylinder bore. With the 4.3 it is the passenger side that is shifted farther forward.

I can get you some measurements - but I can also give you some SWAG dimensions.

At the base of the block where the oil pan bolts on it is around 12" wide. Including the offset of the cylinder banks with the water pump installed I'm going to say it is about 30"-32" long (water pump pulley face to bell housing mounting surface). Up top from outside edge to outside edge of the valve covers (the widest point without the manifolds installed) it is right around 24"-26" wide. Lastly from the top of the alternator (highest point) to the bottom of the oil pan, I'd estimate it to be about 26"-28", maybe a little more...

 

Cheaper, FTE,
Thanks a lot! Very, very helpful info... priceless!

FTE,
I got your PM and thanks a lot for the measurements. I tried to reply to your PM but, alas, I do not have enough posts yet to be able to reply or send a PM... I am getting real close. Wish they would notify you of that BEFORE you go to all the trouble of replying to a PM with a lot of technical info!?

Send me an email, I have some info on what you are thinking of... deja vu!
Alan

 

so is the beast running yet?